The European Parliament will propose an increase of over €200 billion in the next common EU budget, paving the way for contentious political debate over finances. The Parliament adopted its position with a huge majority of 370 votes in favor, 201 against, and 84 abstentions.
EU countries are now expected to articulate their own positions before interinstitutional negotiations begin, which are expected to be challenging because the EU’s long-term budget must be approved by both the European Parliament and the 27 member states.
When asked about negotiation strategies to convince EU member states to increase spending, President Roberta Metsola remarked, “Never underestimate the Parliament.” Political leaders have also vowed to oppose, claiming that Parliament would not just rubber-stamp the Council’s position.
“Who thinks that this [budget] could be agreed in the Council and then imposed through phone calls does not know this Parliament,” said Iratxe García Pérez, president of the Socialists and Democrats group.
Typically, the Parliament caves to budgetary pressure from member states. This time, however, numerous internal sources informed Euronews that a harsher attitude is expected. It is unwilling to accept budget cuts since the centrist majority is less than in earlier legislatures, when heads of government could impose their agenda.
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